1
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
in civilized society people do not just say or do whatever they feel like—they exercise some constraint
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2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
put legal constraints on the board's activities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
parental constraint can take several different forms, including a denial of the approval that children usually seek from their parents
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of constraint
Accessibility will be prioritized during the creation of this new wing, the museum said, highlighting the fact that the current of the modern and contemporary galleries hinder both visitors and Met workers alike in certain areas, whether because of lighting issues, spatial constraints, or stairs.
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Alex Greenberger For Artnews, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024
There's no time constraint, so there is no need to rush.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
The launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the ISS and in-orbit activity planning and constraints that have to be coordinated with NASA.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024
Mande notes that fiscal constraints have hindered past efforts to implement major food reforms, and Kennedy could face similar difficulties.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for constraint 
Alex Greenberger For Artnews, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024
There's no time constraint, so there is no need to rush.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
The launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the ISS and in-orbit activity planning and constraints that have to be coordinated with NASA.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024
Mande notes that fiscal constraints have hindered past efforts to implement major food reforms, and Kennedy could face similar difficulties.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
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Medical examiners mentioned physical restraint and Tasers, in part, in some of the causes of those deaths.Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
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Use of force In the DOJ investigation released last March, federal officials said LMPD officers used excessive force too often, including unjustified neck restraints and unnecessary use of tasers and police dogs.Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The government has called on Mehta to impose restrictions for a decade.Paresh Dave, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024
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Movement on the issue, however, seems unlikely as Republicans are set to take control of the Senate in January, highlighting the challenges of imposing restrictions on a separate branch of government amid declining public confidence in the Court.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The pressure to change usually stems from dissatisfaction.Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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These pressures demand a strategic focus on 5 workplace trends for 2025 to attract and retain the talent needed for success.Sander van ‘t Noordende, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Here are other compelling new reads of the past week Trump lacks discipline and a gameplan.David Plazas, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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The winners in each discipline of the Street Style Pro will earn automatic invites to X Games Aspen 2025, making for an incredible opportunity for up-and-coming athletes.Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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While not an ideal fit alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo due to his shooting limitations, Nance has shown progress from three this season.Brian Sampson, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
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My schedule and the limitations of Nashville's system have kept me from giving up my car.Liz Schubauer, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In contrast, researchers suggest that obsessive passion occurs when an individual becomes driven to the point of compulsion, relying solely on their passion to fulfill their emotional and psychological needs.Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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Scrabble is Phillips’s obsession, a not-necessarily-healthy replacement for alcohol addiction, a compulsion that holds a hint of shame.Longreads, Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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High levels of repression also create a rising reservoir of general dissatisfaction, so that even a small outburst of discontent can quickly spiral into trouble for the regime.Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
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Detention and torture became an integral part of the state’s repression of dissent.Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And here’s another surprise, alcohol can lower inhibition and impair judgement.Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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The other is that the meditators did get mentally fatigued, but their superior response inhibition enabled them to shake it off and stay on the treadmill.Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 9 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near constraint
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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